10 arrested in narcotics roundup

COLUMBIA — Ten Columbia residents were arrested Friday during a narcotics roundup following a yearlong drug investigation by the Columbia Police Department, according to a press release from the Columbia Police Department.

Columbia police began a narcotics operation in January 2007, which involved undercover officers purchasing narcotics such as crack and/or powder cocaine and marijuana. Captain Brad Nelson said the officers were primarily targeting “open air” selling, which means suspects were literally flagging down people in hopes of selling them narcotics. The investigation lasted one year and resulted in 27 indictments for the sales of narcotics.

Friday, the police department began a search for these 27 suspects. Nelson said the officers went out in four teams of two and spent four to five hours searching for the suspects.

Ten people were arrested and taken to the Boone County Jail. Nelson said most of the suspects were arrested in their homes.

In addition, eight of the 27 were already incarcerated on unrelated charges.

The other nine suspects are still at large, and Nelson said police will continue searching for them.

“We are going to give our best effort to locate those remaining suspects,” Nelson said.

Overall, Nelson said he was pleased with the result of the operation.

“I certainly feel it was a very successful operation and we’re happy with the results,” Nelson said.

Columbia residents arrested today and their charges:

— Lawrence D. Hayes, 32, Distribution of a Controlled Substance

— Rodney C. Coe, 40, One count distribution of a controlled substance near a school

— Marcus R. Tatum, 42, One count Distribution of a Controlled Substance Near a School – one count Distribution of a Controlled Substance –

— Jessica N. Chambers, 25, Distribution of a Controlled Substance near a School

— Stefan M. Tate, 24, Distribution of a Controlled Substance

— Carnell T. Grayson, 34, Distribution of a Controlled Substance

— William C. Handy-Buford, 19, Distribution of a Controlled Substance near a School.

— Cortney T. Gibson, 27, Distribution of a Controlled Substance Near a School. Gibson’s home was also searched after officers making the arrest saw drug paraphernalia inside the house. The search warrant yielded two rifles, a handgun, a misdemeanor amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Those already incarcerated on unrelated charges being charged with the distribution of a controlled substance near a school:

— Phillip M. Warren, 35, Distribution of a controlled substance near a school

— Roosevelt E. Blair, 29, Distribution of a controlled substance near a school

— Tara L. Knedle, 26, Distribution of a controlled substance near a school

— Russell T. Crews, 24, Distribution of a controlled substance near a school

— Ramelus D. Bradley, 27, Distribution of a controlled substance near a school

— Courtney T. May-Rainey, 21, Distribution of a controlled substance near a school

Those already incarcerated on unrelated charges being charged with Distribution of a Controlled Substance:

— Cynthia H. Brown, 39, Distribution of a Controlled Substance near a School.

— Montez D. Quinn, 18, Distribution of a Controlled Substance

— Douglas J. Nicholson, 46, Distribution of a Controlled Substance

— Derrick D. Wallace, 26, Distribution of a Controlled Substance near a School.

— Amy G. Coleman, 30, Distribution of a Controlled Substance

— Bryan D. Keller, 31, Distribution of a Controlled Substance

— Brandon D. Rainey, 19, Distribution of a Controlled Substance

— Marquis E. Lewis, 22, 2nd Degree Drug Trafficking

The Columbia Police Department is asking for anyone with information to submit their tips to the CrimeStoppers Web site, 875tips.com, or to call 911. You do not have to release your name to give a tip and you may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,500 if the information you give leads to an arrest.